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Only 10 days & must begin and end

in Madrid - PLEASE suggest the best use of my time - How long for Madrid - What other places (driving to) and how long in each. I've never been to Spain and need your wise thoughts. Thank you

Just a quick note to suggest trying the message board at www.madridman.com as well as here - - for the best of all kinds of information on Spain travel. I usually use this phrase referring to France (or Italy), but it's true of Spain also: it's like ten countries in one. So you're going to have to start with some good general books to focus on two, maybe three general destination(s)/area(s) and then hone in. Strongly recommend you checkout the website www.parador.es as part of your planning - - but then that's a personal preference - - I like building a trip with a skeleton of cool places where I would like to stay. I have been to Spain three times, and I am itching to go again soon - - and none of my trips have ever even included Madrid! Galicia is high on my list of places that I would like to try to combine with a trip that includes Madrid. Last of all, if you need general route planning/mileage/time info, you will probably want to check out one (or all) of these three excellent websites: www.viamichelin.com www.mappy. com or www.geoshellstar.com B est wishes, Rex

I spent about 3 1/2 days in Madrid and it was way too long - did 1 half-day trip to El Escorial & Franco's monument to himself (all interesting), saw all the major museums in Madrid (don't like Spanish painters so wasn't great for me) and the palace, then what?! Wandered around a lot thru plazas and sat in cafes while everything was closed for 2-3 hours in the afternoon. Really had to search for stuff to see. Would suggest getting out of Madrid as soon as possible and seeing Toledo and Seville - my 2 favorites unless you could make it all the way to Salamanca. Did want to see Avila but couldn't make it there.

From Madrid you might want to visit Segovia and Avila. I believe that these can be visited in a day, although using a few of days and baking a round-trip to both might be a better option.

the hub around madrid can keep you busy for a week.. try el escorial, pedraza, segovia, toledo, avila, aranjuez, chinchon, or if you want to branch out all the suggestions of sevilla and granda and that area are excellent. and do take note of the parador offer of 5 night coupon books. you pre-pay 5 nights at particapting paradors. they also have a special 9 night deal with breakfast, too.. off season.

the hub around madrid can keep you busy for a week.. try el escorial, pedraza, segovia, toledo, avila, aranjuez, chinchon, or if you want to branch out all the suggestions of sevilla and granada and that area are excellent. in madrid, don´t miss the convent of the barefoot nuns.. ( descalzas).. quaint ... fun restaurant near american embassy in madrid is called SEPTIMO. and do take note of the parador offer of 5 night coupon books. you pre-pay 5 nights at participating paradors. they also have a special 9 night deal with breakfast, too.. off season.